Air travel can be stressful at the best of times—cramped seats, long queues, and the ever-present hope that your seatmate is friendly (or at least quiet). But for one group of passengers on a recent Southwest Airlines flight from New York’s LaGuardia Airport to Kansas City, things took a turn for the truly outrageous when a fellow traveller’s entitled, drunken tantrum left everyone gobsmacked.

The drama began before the plane even left the tarmac. A 32-year-old woman, described by witnesses as 'intoxicated' and sporting a red baseball cap with an all-black outfit, became verbally aggressive after discovering she’d be sitting next to another woman she deemed 'too fat.' What followed was a shocking display of bad behaviour that left passengers and crew scrambling to restore order.


According to multiple eyewitnesses, the woman’s tirade quickly escalated from rude comments to outright assault. She repeatedly pulled her seatmate’s hair, spat in her face, and even kicked her—all while hurling insults about the woman’s weight and appearance. Several videos captured the chaos, showing the woman screaming profanities and refusing to let go of her victim’s hair, even as Southwest staff and other passengers tried to intervene.


One fellow traveller, who bravely tried to defuse the situation, recalled being insulted herself: 'When she first started saying stuff I called out, ‘Why don’t you be nice?’ She turned around and called me ugly a few times and that I could never get a boyfriend or have sex. I looked at her and said, ‘I’ve been married for almost 20 years, lady.’' The woman’s response? More insults, more shouting, and more chaos.


As the situation spiralled, the disruptive passenger continued to berate not only her seatmate but also anyone who tried to help. She spat at the woman she was harassing, knocked the glasses off a Southwest employee, and hurled racial slurs and bizarre comments at a man sitting nearby. At one point, she even shouted, '911!' with her arms behind her back, as if she were the victim.

Despite repeated pleas from staff to let go of the other woman’s hair, the unruly passenger refused, flashing a smug grin and denying she was even touching her. Eventually, Southwest employees managed to restrain her, using makeshift restraints to keep her from causing further harm. But even then, she continued to shout, curse, and kick at those around her, eventually collapsing in the aisle and claiming, 'I can’t breathe,' before flipping over and continuing her tirade.

The ordeal finally ended when the woman was escorted off the plane on a gurney by authorities. She was taken to hospital for evaluation before being placed in custody for aggravated assault. Southwest Airlines later commended their staff for their professionalism during the incident, and the Port Authority Police confirmed they responded to the call for an 'intoxicated passenger.'


Why Do These Incidents Happen?

Unfortunately, disruptive behaviour on flights is becoming more common. The combination of alcohol, stress, and close quarters can bring out the worst in some people. Airlines have strict policies about serving alcohol and dealing with unruly passengers, but as this incident shows, things can still get out of hand.

For many of us, flying is already a bit of an ordeal—especially as we get older and those seats seem to get smaller every year! The last thing anyone wants is to be caught in the middle of a meltdown like this. It’s a reminder of why kindness, patience, and a little bit of empathy go a long way when we’re all sharing the same (very small) space.

What Should You Do If You Witness Bad Behaviour on a Flight?

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, here are a few tips:

• Stay calm and avoid escalating the situation.
• Alert flight attendants or staff immediately—they’re trained to handle these incidents.
• If you feel safe, offer support to the person being targeted.
• Avoid getting physically involved unless absolutely necessary for safety.
• Document the incident if possible, but don’t put yourself at risk.

The Bigger Picture: Body Shaming and Public Behaviour

This incident also highlights the ongoing issue of body shaming and the importance of treating everyone with respect, regardless of their appearance. No one deserves to be harassed or humiliated, especially in such a public and confined setting.

As a community, we can all do our part to promote kindness and understanding—whether we’re at 30,000 feet or right here on the ground.

Have Your Say!

Have you ever witnessed (or experienced) bad behaviour on a flight? How did you handle it? Do you think airlines should do more to prevent these kinds of incidents? Share your stories and thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

And remember, a little courtesy goes a long way—especially when you’re sharing a row with a stranger for several hours. Safe travels, everyone!

MORE HERE: 'What is wrong with people?': Why this airport behaviour is sparking outrage among passengers